As the discourse around Black Lives Matter and police reform grows ever coarser, racism is revealing itself through protests in all small corners of the country. And that means communities unfamiliar with the role of photojournalists are encountering firsthand the consequences of exercising free speech to spew hate in public spaces.
The disconnect was on full display this weekend in Smithtown, New York, a town of about 117,000 that’s more than 95% white. Local activists with the Long Island Peaceful Protest group planned a rally for Saturday, March 6, to protest the town’s handling of “Thin Blue Line” flags on its fire trucks. They had been there for years, but had recently been removed, then put back after residents complained. The demonstrators planned to march from the train station to the nearby firehouse to express their dismay over the town’s use of a flag that has been in recent years co-opted by racists to attack Black Lives Matter protesters. Throughout the week, a “Back the Blue” counterprotest movement was building, and by Saturday, there were more than 100 “Back the Blue” supporters waiting for the 30 or so Long Island Peaceful Protest marchers.
Predictably, it got ugly. Just take a look at this person, who blocked me, and told me to "Go back to where you came from" as I tried to cover the event with my journalism students:
I have seldom felt fear of physical harm as a photojournalist, but I did fear this person, who was lunging at me with the flag. It turned out my fears were justified, as he later pushed a young black videographer to the ground and fled the scene. I did try to take a picture of him after that happened, and he angrily told me to stop taking pictures of him as he slipped through a fence.
And I got that a lot. As a photojournalist of color, many “Back the Blue” protestors assumed that I was automatically “against” their side. I was there, like my students, to document what happened and let the photos speak for themselves. I think the photo at the top of this post, for instance, says enough. You may even recognize this particular racist from a previous article I wrote on this topic.
A Right To Photograph
The protestors themselves weren’t really saying much when it came to giving me their names, however. Ordinarily, I don’t have trouble getting most people to talk to me for a photo caption. Most with the Long Island Peaceful Protest group did share their identities, and faces, in photos of this protest. However, whenever I pointed my camera at many “Back the Blue” counterprotesters, masks were pulled up, and cries of “No pictures bro,” and “I’m going to shove that camera up your f*cking a*s” followed. One protestor even tracked down my Instagram to leave a comment that I was “doxing” [sic] people in his group:
A commenter accused me of trying to "dox" them while I was engaged in photojournalism.
Funny what @itsyahboyruss considers “respectfully.” Photojournalism isn't doxxing, and it's hard to dox someone when their face is covered by a mask and they refuse to give a name.
Don't Be a Jerk
Whatever the case may be, I often try to follow the “don’t be an a*shole” rule of photography. If someone respectfully asks not to be photographed, I’ll generally move on and shoot someone else. It’s a protest, and there are plenty of other people that don’t mind photographs or at least won’t raise an issue. I may not always get a name out of those people, but at least I’m not getting attacked or threatened.
Supporters of the Long Island Peaceful Protest encountered a large group of "Back the Blue" counter-protestors as the march moved past the Smithtown Fire Department on Saturday, March 6, 2021 to protest the town’s placement of “thin blue line” flags on its fire trucks.
I don’t have to honor their request. There’s no expectation of privacy in this or any public space, and so, perhaps it’s time to clarify what a photojournalist can and cannot do in this context, and it’s pretty simple:
If you’re on a public street in a public place, anybody with a camera, whether it’s a cell phone or Nikon D6, has the right to photograph you doing whatever it is you’re doing — whether that’s espousing racism or fighting against it.
A gesture that started out as a joke by an internet group that as expected was promoted to importance by the left.
So what? They probably drive domestic trucks. Gonna label that as white supremacist, too. How's about eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits. Fucking LOL!
Overboard? It's already started with the a-ok sign. It wont' stop there.
LOL!
Tell me about it...
https://art.wsj.net/api/photos/gams-files/BN-XH471_3jSk6_OR_201802021310...
https://compote.slate.com/images/5e297143-f1a9-4f95-ad26-2349eada8bf0.jpg
https://content.fortune.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/gettyimages-46569...
https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f6bd92678d6d8799295f3d...
https://editorial01.shutterstock.com/wm-preview-450/10573681c/592e24fc/j...
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bj4EcQsY2dWt3vFkqNs_FK_NDd0=/0x0:5568x37...(1677x1166:2567x2056)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68704504/1228643735.0.jpg
Good one. Well, those two are anti-American.
"those two are anti-American"
[citation needed]
Just to give you context, I’m a former photojournalist (PJ), graduated from PJ school (Indiana University), and shot for a few papers.
I’m glad you mentioned the idea of “expectation of privacy”.
Yes they are on public land (sidewalk, streets), they have no expectation of privacy, AND this particular protest gathering/march/parade definitely meets the standards of “newsworthiness”.
However, that doesn’t mean you won’t get whacked with a flagpole or maced by a pissed off demonstrator.
Watch your back.
Wasim, I'm not going to go into any detailed response because it'll just result in a bunch of racist responses, but I want to say I really appreciate your periodic articles about this topic.
It's so sad to see the comments and realize how much of this country, and the photographic community, harbor just pure racist hatred and an inability to see what should be clear - instead they jump to "what about Antifa, hmmm??"
Anyway, thanks for these.
Thanks for the kind words and support!
Of course. I always like these articles because you share some valuable experience in the action. I've photographed protests, both peaceful (which was a BLM protest) and not peaceful (a protest where conservative counter-protesters showed up, like here), but I'm a white dude. I'm fine.
So it's good to read experiences and perspectives from someone who doesn't have that privilege.
Also, I'm glad Fstoppers isn't afraid to post politically divisive content. And yes, I would support them still if they posted conservative articles too. But many sites avoid it, even though readers can easily not click on it.
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Studio 403 I think your facts are wrong, the BLM movement is not about hate, if you do your research all protests that were led by blacks in our present and past has been about peacefully protesting to get our grievances out as we are sick and tired of the racism, the killings of innocent black and minorities, and especially the unarmed ones, there is no reason for this other than certain whites believes the country belongs to them when in reality it belongs to the original descendants of this country the native american indians, so do try to get the facts correct. What the BLM wants is simply a peaceful environment where they can go running without being chased and shot, walk to their home without being shot, live inside of their homes without the door being knocked down and shot and killed in our own home. You get to enjoy those rights why is it blacks and other minorities cannot enjoy the same?
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You have no f*cking idea what the hell you're talking about.
I've BEEN to BLM protests. You know what they do? The organizers get up on a stage/some kind of higher ground and talk about why they're there. You know what they say? Nothing bad about white people. They talk about ALL races and ethnicities. Want to know who is there in attendance? A sea of folks from different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Whites, Asians, Latinos, etc. - all just people who care about things like not murdering someone for being black.
Nothing anyone did or said at these protests was inflammatory or even insulting.
So this image you've created in your mind about "envy" and "payback" is a whole different fictional reality. But that's common. You're not alone, unfortunately.
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"Black Lives matter is kind of hate group, toward white folk."
Stupidest, most ignorant, pathetic, petty, self-martyring statement I've read this week.
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Are you saying he shouldn't have expressed his view? Or are you actually saying America is the only place you can do that?
Dozens of research projects have found that America is not even close to the freest country in the world for speech, press, or the right to protest. It's pretty far down the list, actually. Dropped a hell of a lot starting in 2017.
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"Only in America can we express our personal views."
Second most ignorant statement I've read this week. I have been free to express my views in MANY countries. Have you ever traveled outside the U.S.??? You really need to get out more, a little farther from home, and meet folks who aren't just like you.
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You may forgive yourself, but it doesn't give you any more credibility in the eyes of others.
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Someone got caught and tried to delete all his embarrassing posts...
Having been to and photographed many protests for decades (always published under a pseudonym) I appreciate that you could feel threatened, I switched to old Nikon film cameras for protests about six years ago for that exact reason. I've been threatened quite a few times dating back decades and was even once assaulted by Klan members and once by a, I guess the best description is a "black block" person. Today's "antifa" people do not like their pictures taken, at all. (as to a few comments, there's a "handbook" to the "antifa" movement available on Amazon and some of the groups even have web sites)
Something I've noticed over the years is that many professional photographers are not very good at shooting protests that go beyond simple marches, it's not that they're bad photographers, many are absolutely fantastic(!) but there are times when protests go beyond what many people are used to. Most people don't comprehend chaos well and often don't understand what they're seeing, even with their own eyes, those of us used to chaos can see often see past what others see. It's a problem but there aren't many who are good with cameras and also used to chaos (put a combat photographer in a few of those and they'll be right at home!), and there's probably not a good way around the problem. It's easy to think that you understand what you shot only to later learn that you were fooled, and that's when you're lucky enough to learn that you've been fooled. And there is a lot of fooling that goes on at protests; so far I've yet to see a left protest trolled by what may be called agent provocatours, but a) I may have missed them, and b) they'll probably be a feature of left protests in the future, people learn tactics. Every protest I've witnessed by what we call the "right" has featured some sort of agent provocateurs, plural, and I've talked to a few, some of them were paid to fool the cameras, more the tv news people than the photojournalists.
Remember, you're seeing what somebody wants you to see. And you should teach your students to pay attention to the outskirts of protests if they actually want to understand protests, also to understand the tactics that are involved, they are often not straight forward events and the tactics may be hard to learn (Sun Tzu is a good guide to understanding events like protests, where honest photographers literally have no friends, we can and will often be clowned by perceived "allies").
As to people expecting privacy in public - Guess what, there are pro shooters (like fashion) who are the exact same way and they know damn well what the laws are. There are National Lawyers Guild lawyers who will always hide their badges and sometimes their faces. Welcome to the club.
Kyle Rittenhouse showed up at a BLM protesr and killed 2 and injured another.
Antifa protestors have repeatedly been doxed and then threatened by right wing extremists. They hide their identity for protect themselves from armed and violent right wing extremists.
Given that some of today's protesters are breaking laws, vandalizing property, fighting other protesters and being arrested they do not wish to be identified. So be aware of this if you are photographing them for some of them as you point out will take steps to prevent being photographed, despite it being completely legal. So be careful. Doesn't happen in your locale? See this article from yesterday.
https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2021/03/man-arrested-twice-in-one-day-a...
This is borderline libel. You're pathetic and no one wants to read your garbage over and over. It's OK to be white. You're hateful and are too dumb to see the irony. You are and always will be a low IQ annoying camera clown.
The article itself is offensive
By painting a group of people that the photographer doesn't agree with politically as "racist". I'll bet the author hasn't bothered to get to know anyone them.
Doubtful
Read the previous article I wrote linked in the text. You’ll see a video from a previous protest where I tried to “get to know” the guy in the top photo. Went about as well as you’d expect. Telling me to go back to where I came from and racist gestures aren’t a political disagreement. If you can’t stand my existing as a brown person or harass me as I do a job just because of my skin color, that’s racist. Let’s call a thing a thing.
Nobody like having a camera thrown in their face, especially by someone that is hostile towards them. And, you are "assuming" you knew what was meant.
I did not "throw" my camera at anyone. I exercised my right to take pictures in a public place.
The whole point of demonstrating is to spread your views, ideas and opinions around the world, beyond the few dozen people in front of you.
Thus I have no idea why a protestor would tell photographers not to take pictures of them.
This is tantamount to saying Don't look at me, don't listen to me, ignore me.
Sad!
Because they aren't there to spread their views.
They're there to stir up shit, hurt people, and just generally do what they love to do. They ain't there to convince anyone of anything or to get the word out.
Fear of being doxxed and attacked later by right wing extremists.
Thanks for this great series of articles here, Wasim, and dedication to photo journalism everywhere!
Protests always get people’s emotions up, and photographers and journalists often bear the brunt of that, often from both sides. Photographer John Cocozza and journalist Andy Ngo were both beaten up by Antifa protesters, while photographer John Minchillo got the same treatment from Trump supporters. When you’re there with a camera it’s surprising how much abuse you can get. Here are a few of the hostile reactions I’ve had photographing protesters of both Left and Right
Couple more shots
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What a waste of time to have read most of these comments.
"If you’re on a public street in a public place, anybody with a camera, whether it’s a cell phone or Nikon D6, has the right to photograph you doing whatever it is you’re doing — whether that’s espousing racism or fighting against it." - it's may be the case for USA, but in Europe you have to ask before you shoot (the GDPR).
I find it socially interesting that someone who goes to an area which has a 95% plus population of just one ethnic background, doesn't expect to find racists.
Racists like Nationalists are not confined to any one specific ethnic background or country and tend to have a very limited or little to no knowledge of working alongside or living alongside peoples of diverse origins.
Racism or Nationalism probably comes from a shared ancestral past for the whole of humanity, when we were hunter gatherers, strangers on our territory meant competitors for the scarce wild life we hunted, so were driven out..
The agricultural revolution and protecting crops only served to magnify such small scale conflicts, until we got to the global wars of the 20th century.
Calling out Racists or Nationalists doesn't make them go away.
Instead they become a magnet for those who feel left out of the chance to enjoy a better future for themselves due to whatever percieved failings of the society they happen to live in.
Just maybe if Governments locally, nationally and internationally strive to improve the lot of the entire population equally, may be in 5 or 6 generations Racism might reduce.
What I'm trying to say is Racism is not an entirely logical or rational reaction, it is probably more deep rooted in the brain.
I well remember a conversation with a person who stated that they were so sick and tired of the number of immigrants in their country, that they were going to live abroad. When I asked them 'if you became an immigrant yourself in a strange country, how would you feel if the local people thought like you do towards you as an immigrant?' Their face fell and they were lost for words.
The majority of people who immigrate to another country do so for a better future for themselves and their families. Then there are those who once they arrive in their new country, strive to change it, to something they're more familiar with, so are they immigrants or missionaries?
Interestingly the U.S. of A. is the top country when it comes to sending out the missionaries.
So you would expect fierce defence of whatever its citizens believe to be their way of life.
There were no surprises or even news in this article if you think about it.
You're allowed to take photographs of people in a demonstration on the streets of the U.S. of A. Try doing the same in some other countries and you might not get to see or even touch a camera for several decades.